Quote:Collision with terrain involving Cessna 172, VH-ZEW, near Millbrook, Victoria on 8 September 2015

 
Investigation number: AO-2015-105
Investigation status: Active
 

• Summary
  

Summary

The ATSB is investigating a fatal aircraft accident involving a Cessna 172, near Millbrook, Victoria on 8 September 2015. The aircraft collided with the ground and the pilot died in the accident.

The ATSB has deployed two investigators, with specialisations in aircraft operations and engineering, to the accident site. They are expected to be on site for two to three days.

As part of the investigation, the team will:

• assess the accident site
  
• examine the aircraft wreckage
  
• interview any witnesses
  
• review aircraft documentation and maintenance records.
  
  

Witnesses are asked to call the ATSB on 1800 020 616.
More information will be made available as it comes to hand.

Quote:Plane crash at Millbrook: Woman dead after light aircraft crashes near Ballarat  
by: Paddy Naughtin, Andrea Hamblin

From: Herald Sun
September 09, 2015 2:00PM

UPDATE: THE father of an RMIT student pilot who died when she crashed near Ballarat on a solo flight has met with university chiefs as investigations continue.  


Investigators were on Wednesday scouring the site of a plane crash for clues on what caused the plane to drop from the sky, killing the student..

The female RMIT student was flying solo near Millbrook when her Cessna plunged into the side of a hill on a rural property about 3.20pm, and died at the scene.

Two Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigators specialising in aircraft operations and engineering were at the scene on Wednesday morning.

They will examine the plane wreckage and are expected to remain at the site for up to three days, ATSB pokesman Marc Kelaart said.
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He said the investigation would also review the aircraft documentation and maintenance records, as well as interview any witnesses.

The bureau will refer any information relating to immediate safety concerns to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

The university said it had halted all flight operations at Point Cook “until further notice”
RMIT University vice-chancellor Martin Bean said in a statement that the death had “devastated” the university community.

He confirmed the aviation student was on a solo training flight from RMIT’s Point Cook aviation training site when the crash occurred.

“This morning, I met the student’s father at RMIT’s Point Cook flight training centre.

“On behalf of the University, I extended my heartfelt condolences to him.

“As a father, I can only begin to imagine the pain he is feeling at this time.”

Mr Bean said he had gathered at Point Cook with aviation staff and students “to share their grief and their memories”.

He said RMIT’s trained counsellors had offered support to students and staff.
He said the university continues to assist the Air Transport Safety Bureau, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and emergency services.

Paramedics and firefighters rushed to the crash site, off Old Melbourne Rd in an area known as Black Hill, but the pilot could not be saved.
andrea.hamblin@news.com.au

Quote:CASA needs to interview after safety risks  

• From: AAP
  
• August 14, 2015 2:30PM
  

CASA should consider developing laws allowing it to interview people after flight safety risks, the NSW deputy state coroner says.  

THE recommendation comes from Deputy State Coroner Paul MacMahon's inquiry into the death of Kathryn Anne Sheppard, who was killed along with pilot Andrew Wilson, when their twin-engine plane crashed at Canley Vale in southwest Sydney in June 2010.
Mr Wilson had declared an emergency just 20 minutes after taking-off from Bankstown Airport and was returning from the Richmond area, but the plane went down about 5km from the runway.

It was also recommended that CASA, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, update its guidelines for multi-engine aeroplane operations and training.

Mr MacMahon found that Ms Sheppard died from a combination of head injuries and the effects of fire sustained in the crash.

"The aircraft in which she was travelling as a passenger suffered engine failure and as a result impacted with the ground and became engulfed in flames," he said in findings released on Friday.

The plane struck a power pole, crashed and burst into flames in the front yard of a house next to Canley Vale Public School, but no one on the ground was injured.

Teachers herded children to the back of the school and emergency services soon evacuated them to a nearby park, Canley Vale Public School principal Cheryl McBride told AAP at the time.

Four adults and three children, were taken to Liverpool Hospital suffering emotional distress after witnessing the explosion.